LEARNER DIFFERENCESMENTDP Course

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What is Differentiation?A teacher’s response to learner needs

The recognition of students’ varying background knowledge, characteristics and preferences

Instruction that appeals to students’ differences

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Why Differentiate?All learners are different.One size does not fit all.

Differentiation provides all students with access to knowledge

Learner DifferencesAge:children, adolescents, and

adults.Learning styles: visual, auditory,

and kinesthesic.Levels: beginners, intermediate,

and advanced.Educational and cultural

brackground.Motivation: extrinsic and intrinsic.Responsibility for learning:

autonomy

Learner CharacteristicsCHILDREN TEENAGERS ADULTS

Need to move Still need to move Able to keep still

Concentrate on short periods

Concentrationdeveloping

can concentrate more easily

Learn throughexperience

Begin to learn in abstract ways

Learn more in abstract ways

Are not very able to control & plan their own behavior

Begin to control and plan their behavior

Usually able to control and plan their behavior

Are not afraid of making mistakes

May worry about what others think of them

Not so willing to make mistakes or take risks

Are not aware of themselves

Are sometimes aware of their actions

Aware of themselves and their actions

Pay attention to meaning and language

Pay attention to meaning and increasily to form

Pay attention to meaning and form in language

Have limited experience of life

Begin to increase their experience of life

Have experience of life

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Content Process Product

According to Students’

Readiness InterestLearningProfile

Teachers Can Differentiate

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Discussion Question

What are you already doing to differentiate learners and instruction in your classroom?

Things to Keep in Mind when Teaching Children

1. Involve children in hands-on activities.

2. Avoid talking for long periods of time.

3. Children learn by interacting with each other and with the teacher.

4. Review, Review, Review.

5. Encourage students to correct themselves and other students.

6. Use what is learned in different contexts.

7. Praise, Praise, Praise.

Things to Keep in Mind when Teaching Teenagers

Meet their interest in current topics (sport, entertainment and media, and English-speaking cultures ).

Create a collaborative classroom atmosphere.Allow the expression of different feelingsPromote learner autonomy and individual choice Promote cross-curricular work.Resort to varietyAddress different learning stylesManage the classroom effectively Avoid putting students on the spot.Develop project work

Teaching adultsLearning should be experienced based with goals

adults can relate to.

Adults enjoy actively participating in class.

Adults require feedback.

Adults learn at different speeds.

References

Harmer, J. (2007) How to Teach English. Pearson & Longman, England.

http://www.cambridge.org/elt/englishinmind/teacher_resources/teaching_teenagers.htm

Spratt, M. et al. (2005) The TKT Teaching Knowledge Test Course. Cambridge University Press, U.K.

Tomlinson (1999 ) The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners.

http://www.eslbase.com/articles/esl-children.asp

Thanks

Teaching for LearnerDifferences